KALAMAZOO, MI -- Police are searching for a missing 71-year-old man who walked

Kalamazoo Gazette file photo

away from his home on the 600 block of Chicago Avenue Saturday afternoon.

Tom Thomas, a white male about 5 feet 10 inches tall and 225 pounds with a medium build, was last seen wearing a dark colored shirt, blue jeans, glasses and black shoes, according to a press release from the Kalamazoo Township Police Department.

Police said they were called at 2:20 p.m. Saturday after Thomas, an insulin dependent diabetic suffering from the beginning stages of dementia, walked away from his home. Police said Thomas may become easily confused.

A Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety K-9 unit attempted to track Thomas, but was unable to find him, according to the press release. Additional search efforts have also been unsuccessful, police said.

Police ask anyone that sees Thomas avoid contact with him and contact the Township of Kalamazoo Police Department at 269-343-0568 immediately.